2.1 Parenting and Families
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTING
Parenting
 The process of caring for children and
helping them grow and develop.
 Can be very complicated.
 Impacts individuals, families, and societies
 One of the most important roles in a person’s life.
Making a Positive Difference
 Treat others with kindness and consideration
 Some neighborhood children can benefit from
having a teen friend.
 Volunteer or work with children
Learning About Child Development
 What to expect when raising children
 What to expect when you are expecting
 Parenting skills
 Discipline options
 Learn and understand what the child may be going
through (developmental stages)
 Interacting with children positively
Parenthood Readiness
 Parenting Skills- can be learned!!
 Take classes in child development and parenting in




school, at hospitals, community groups, and private
instructors.
Read reliable books, magazine articles, etc.
Gain experience
Ask for advice
Observe parents and children
Stages of Parenthood
 Psychologist Ellen Galinsky
 Between Generations: The Six Stages of Parenthood
 Research finding based on interviews with parents
 Galinsky describes how parents develop through
their interaction with their children.
Stages of Parenthood
 Stage 1: Image-Making
 Time Period: Pregnancy
 Parents’ Task: Begin to imagine themselves as
parents.
Stages of Parenthood
 Stage 2: Nurturing
 Time Period: Birth to Age 2
 Parents’ Task:
 Become emotionally attached to the child.
 May question relative worth of other priorities
Stages of Parenthood
 Stage 3: Authority
 Time Period: Age 2 to 4 or 5
 Parents’ Task:
 Determine rules
 Clarify role as authority figure
Stages of Parenthood
 Stage 4: Interpretive
 Time Period: Age 4-5 to Age 13
 Parents’ Task:
 Rethink their role as parents
 Decide what knowledge, skills, and values the child needs
Stages of Parenthood
 Stage 5: Interdependent
 Time Period: Adolescence
 Parents’ Task:
 Establish boundaries
 Find disciplinary methods appropriate for teens
Stages of Parenthood
 Stage 6- Departure
 Time Period: Child leaves home
 Parents’ Task:
 Evaluate their parenting
New Responsibilities / Changes
 Lifestyle Change
 Less free time (or “ME” time)
 Emotional Adjustment
 Stressful
 Negative emotions are normal (fear, frustration, worry,
jealously, depression due to exhaustion)
 Relationship Changes
 COMMUNICATE!!!!!
 Employment Adjustments
 Legal Responsibilities
Rewards
 Can bring a lot of joy and happiness
 See the world differently
 Enrich an already strong marriage / family
 Great sense of accomplishment and pride
What are the five area’s of parenthood readiness?
 Emotional Maturity
 Desire to be a parent
 Health
 Financial Responsibility
 Resource Management
Parenthood Readiness
 Emotional Maturity- being responsible enough to
consistently put someone else’s needs before your
own needs.
Parenthood Readiness
 Desire for Parenthood
 Do you want to have children?
 Why do you want children?
 Are you ready to handle the challenges of parenthood?
Parenthood Readiness
 Health Consideration- get a medical check up.
Some medical problems can affect the health of the
baby or the parents’ ability to care for a child.

Consider Age: under 17 or over 35 pregnancy is riskier
for both the mother and baby.
Parenthood Readiness
 Financial Concerns- Raising a child is expensive.
How will you pay for clothes, health care, food,
equipment, toys, childcare, etc.
Parenthood Readiness
 Resource Management Skills- parents need to
use their resources wisely.
 Five Key Steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Set Goals- what is important.
Identify Resources- make a list
Make a Plan- decide how you will use your resources
Put the Plan in Action- start working towards the
goal.
Re-Evaluate from Time to Time- step back and take a
look at progress.
Family Goals
 Buying a house
 Buying a Car
 Sending the child to preschool
 Education
 Vacation